AstraZeneca

Translational Science Associate Director

AstraZeneca$142K — $213K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master's degree required.
  • 5 years of relevant experience in clinical development or translational science.
  • Strong knowledge of immune-mediated disease pathogenesis and related technologies.
  • Experience in clinical biomarker strategy development and execution.
  • Significant experience managing CROs for translational studies and clinical trials.
  • Detailed understanding of translational research methodology and biostatistics principles.
  • Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

  • Define and execute translational and biomarker strategies for immune-mediated disease programs.
  • Design and deliver clinical biomarker plans with clear decision points.
  • Build strong target-to-disease hypotheses using human genetics and mechanistic models.
  • Align discovery and clinical teams to shape study protocols and endpoints.
  • Lead CROs and collaborators to deliver translational studies effectively.
  • Interrogate datasets to refine dose/response and inform study design.
  • Serve as global product team translational lead to manage life cycle and new program strategies.

Benefits

  • Qualified retirement programs.
  • Paid time off including vacation, holiday, and leaves.
  • Health, dental, and vision coverage according to applicable plans.
  • Flexibility in working arrangements while maintaining in-office collaboration.
Full Job Description
Are you ready to turn patient biology into decisive clinical strategy for immune-mediated diseases? In this role, you will shape how human insights drive program design, accelerate decision-making, and sharpen product differentiation across cellular, biologic, and small molecule modalities. Your work will directly influence how quickly and confidently we bring transformative therapies to patients.

You will lead from the interface of research and development, uniting discovery science, clinical teams, and external partners around clear translational objectives. How would you leverage biomarkers and human evidence to make faster, smarter decisions that change the trajectory of our programs and the lives they aim to improve?

Accountabilities:
  • Translational Strategy Leadership: Define and execute integrated translational and biomarker strategies for immune-mediated disease programs, ensuring robust human evidence guides phase progression and differentiation.
  • Biomarker Strategy and Delivery: Design and deliver clinical biomarker plans spanning human target validation, target engagement, pharmacodynamic readouts, and molecular differentiation, with clear, pre-specified decision points.
  • Target-to-Disease Connection: Build strong target-to-disease hypotheses using human genetics, tissue biology, and mechanistic models; translate insights into program objectives and go/no-go criteria.
  • Cross-Functional Integration: Align discovery and clinical teams to shape protocols, endpoints, sampling strategies, and assay readiness so every patient data point advances mechanistic understanding.
  • External Partnerships and CRO Management: Lead CROs and collaborators to deliver translational studies to time, quality, and budget; ensure fit-for-purpose assay validation, data standards, and operational excellence.
  • Clinical Data Translation: Interrogate clinical and translational datasets to refine dose/response, identify responders, and inform next-study design and lifecycle plans; communicate implications clearly to governance bodies.
  • Lifecycle and New Program Strategy: Serve as global product team translational lead to enable lifecycle management and new program strategies that build competitive differentiation and patient impact.
  • Scientific Leadership and Innovation: Act as a recognized authority in translational science, solving complex problems with innovative approaches; mentor peers, raise scientific standards, and represent programs externally.


Essential Skills/Experience:
  • Master's degree required.
  • 5 years of relevant professional experience required, including experience in clinical development or translational science.
  • Strong knowledge of the pathogenesis of immune mediated disease and the application of cellular, molecular technologies and models to drive program decisions,
  • Prior experience in clinical biomarker strategy development and execution including human target validation, target engagement, and molecular differentiation.
  • Significant experience managing CROs for translational studies and biomarkers for clinical trials.
  • Detailed understanding of translational and clinical research methodology and biostatistics principles.
  • Attention to detail, strive to generate high-quality work, and sense of passion and urgency to achieve team and program goals.
  • Demonstrated experience contributing to and leading complex projects.
  • Demonstrated track record in delivering results.
  • Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
  • Excellent analytical, problem solving and strategic planning skills.


Desirable Skills/Experience:
  • Experience in clinical biomarker development of T-cell therapy and/or other advanced therapeutic modalities in house or with CROs
  • Experience in the authoring of relevant sections of regulatory documents.
  • Understanding of the full drug development process, with experience across phases of therapeutic development and studies
  • Understanding of FDA, EMA, MHRA and ICH GCP guidelines as they pertain to translational strategy.


The annual base pay (or hourly rate of compensation) for this position ranges from 142,377.60 - 213,566.40 USD Annual (80% - 120%). Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives-an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

Call to Action:

If you are ready to lead translational strategy that turns human insight into life-changing therapies, take the next step and shape what science can do with us.

As AstraZeneca continues to put patients at the forefront of our mission, we are excited for our move to Kendall Square/Cambridge in 2026. Find out more information here: Kendall Square Press Release

Date Posted
24-Jun-2026

Closing Date
09-Jul-2026

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical company that specializes in the research, development, and manufacturing of prescription drugs. The company was formed in 1999 through the merger of Astra AB and Zeneca Group plc. AstraZeneca's products are used to treat a wide range of medical conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and diabetes. The company has operations in over 100 countries and employs more than 76,000 people worldwide. AstraZeneca is committed to developing innovative medicines that improve the health and well-being of people around the world.
Learn more about AstraZeneca
Size
83,100 employees
Market Cap
$211.5 billion
Industry
Net Income
$3.1 billion
Founded
1999
5 Year Trend
+10.2%
Revenue
$26.6 billion
NASDAQ

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